Anxiety Disorder

                                                                Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United States. We all experience anxiety. For example, speaking in front of a group can make us anxious, but that anxiety also motivates us to prepare and practice. Driving in heavy traffic is another common source of anxiety, but it helps keep us alert and cautious to avoid accidents. However, when feelings of intense fear and distress become overwhelming and prevent us from doing everyday activities, an anxiety disorder may be the cause. Anxiety disorders are a group of related conditions, each having unique symptoms. However, all anxiety disorders have one thing in common: persistent, excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening. People typically experience one or more of the following symptoms:

        1. Emotional symptoms:

•           Feeling tense or jumpy

•           Restlessness or irritability

•           Anticipating the worst and being watchful for signs of danger

2.         Physical symptoms:

•           Pounding or racing heart and shortness of breath

•           Sweating, tremors, and twitches

•           Headaches, fatigue, and insomnia

•           Upset stomach, frequent urination, or diarrhea

There are many types of anxiety disorders, each with different symptoms. The most common types of anxiety disorders include:

GAD produces chronic, exaggerated worrying about everyday life. This worrying can consume hours each day, making it hard to concentrate or finish daily tasks. A person with GAD may become exhausted by worry and experience headaches, tension, or nausea.

•           Another is Social Anxiety Disorder More than shyness, this disorder causes intense fear about social interaction, often driven by irrational worries about humiliation (e.g. saying something stupid or not knowing what to say). Someone with social anxiety disorder may not take part in conversations, contribute to class discussions, or offer their ideas, and may become isolated. Panic attacks are a common reaction to anticipated or forced social interaction. Panic disorder is characterized by panic attacks and sudden feelings of terror sometimes striking repeatedly and without warning. Often mistaken for a heart attack, a panic attack causes powerful physical symptoms including chest pain, heart palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath and stomach upset. Many people will go to desperate measures to avoid an attack, including social isolation. Phobias is another, we all tend to avoid certain things or situations that make us uncomfortable or even fearful. But for someone with a phobia, certain places, events, or objects create powerful reactions of strong, irrational fear. Most people with specific phobias have several things that can trigger those reactions; to avoid panic, they will work hard to avoid their triggers. The causes are genetics and environment. Using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) a mental health professional can identify the specific type of anxiety disorder causing symptoms as well as any other possible disorders that may be involved. Tackling all disorders through comprehensive treatment is the best recovery strategy. Different anxiety disorders have their own distinct sets of symptoms. This means that each type of anxiety disorder also has its own treatment plan. But there are common types of treatment that are used in Psychotherapy: including cognitive behavioral therapy

Medication: including antianxiety medications and antidepressants Complementary health approaches: including stress and relaxation techniques. Anxiety disorders can occur along with other mental health conditions, and they can often make related conditions worse.

Reference:

ANXIETY AND DIPRESSION ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA,                     https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad/symptoms, Accessed by, November 29, 2020

Anxiety Disorders and Anxiety Attacks, https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/anxiety-disorders-and-anxiety-attacks.htm, Accessed by, November 29, 2020

American Psychiatric Association, https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/anxiety-disorders/what-are-anxiety-disorders, Accessed by, November 29, 2020

 

 

 

Depression

 

                                                                 Depression

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think, and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. It is not known exactly what causes depression. As with many mental disorders, a variety of factors may be involved in depression they are as following:

1.         Biological differences: People with depression appear to have physical changes in their brains. The significance of these changes is still uncertain but may eventually help pinpoint causes.

2.         Brain chemistry: Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that likely play a role in depression. changes in the function and effect of these neurotransmitters and how they interact with neurocircuits.

3.         Hormones: Changes in the body's balance of hormones may be involved in causing or triggering depression. Hormone changes can result with pregnancy and during the weeks or months after delivery (postpartum) and from thyroid problems, menopause, or several other conditions.

4.         Inherited traits: Depression is more common in people whose blood relatives also have this condition. Researchers are trying to find genes that may be involved in causing depression.

Factors that seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering depression are Certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem and being too dependent, self-critical or pessimistic, Traumatic or stressful events, such as physical or sexual abuse, the death or loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, or financial problems, Blood relatives with a history of depression, bipolar disorder, alcoholism or suicide, History of other mental health disorders, such as anxiety disorder, eating disorders or post-traumatic stress disorder, Being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, or having variations in the development of genital organs that aren't clearly male or female (intersex) in an unsupportive situation, Abuse of alcohol or recreational drugs, Serious or chronic illness, including cancer, stroke, chronic pain or heart disease. Depression often gets worse if it is not treated, resulting in emotional, behavioral and health problems that affect every area of life. Examples of complications associated with depression include, Excess weight or obesity, which can lead to heart disease and diabetes, Pain or physical illness, Alcohol or drug misuse, Family conflicts, relationship difficulties, and work or school problems, Anxiety, panic disorder or social phobia, Social isolation, Suicidal feelings, suicide attempts or suicide, Self-mutilation, such as cutting, Premature death from medical conditions. Common signs and symptoms of depression in children and teenagers are like those of adults they include:

 In younger children, symptoms of depression may include sadness, irritability, clinginess, worry, aches, and pains, refusing to go to school, or being underweight.

In teens, symptoms may include sadness, irritability, feeling negative and worthless, anger, poor performance or poor attendance at school, feeling misunderstood and extremely sensitive, using recreational drugs or alcohol.

Depression, even the most severe cases, can be treated. The earlier that treatment can begin, the more effective it is. Depression is usually treated with medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two. If these treatments do not reduce symptoms, electroconvulsive therapy and other brain stimulation therapies may be options to explore.

 

Reference:

American Psychiatric Association, https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression, Accessed by, November 8, 2020

Everything you want to know about depression,                 https://www.healthline.com/health/depression, Accessed by, November 8, 2020

National institute of mental health,    https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index, Accessed by, November 8, 2020